They had been back seat passengers in the VW Bora and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other males, aged 17 and 18, who were passengers in the same car, remain in a critical condition in hospital.

A 27-year-old man who police said was from outside the area and had been driving the other car, a Ford Focus, has been discharged from hospital.

A 24-year-old woman who was a passenger in that car remains in hospital while a three-year-old girl and a six-month old boy have been kept in hospital for observations as a precaution.

Inspector Dave Barf, from North Yorkshire Police Roads Policing Group, warned people against the “irresponsible spreading of information, which potentially has no basis in fact” as the investigation continues.

He urged people with information to contact police rather than put it on social media.